Syed Ashraf was an idol for politicians: Quader

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said former AL General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam was an idol for the country’s politicians and his sacrifice and contributions to the nation will be remembered forever.

“Syed Ashraf was a rare politician in our country. Ashraf, a son of Bangabadhu’s close associate Syed Nazrul Islam, was elected as AL general secretary two times in a row,” he said after placing a wreath on the grave of the late AL leader in the city’s Banani on the occasion of his first death anniversary.

Quader said Syed Ashraf will remain as an example among the politicians of the country.

Recalling the sacrifice of Syed Ashraf to the country, he said Ashraf was a perfect man in the political atmosphere of Bangladesh.

“We should take lessons from his life. The modesty, honesty and sincerity of Syed Ashraful Islam will remain as an example for the future politicians,” he said.

Quader said: “I do believe his first death anniversary will be succeeded if we can be honest ones like Syed Ashraf”. The next generation should take lessons from Ashraf’s life, he added.

The first death anniversary of Syed Ashraful Islam was observed today.

On behalf of Awami League, Quader paid homage to him by placing a wreath on his grave at Banani in the capital. Sayeda Zakia Noor, AL lawmaker and sister of Syed Ashraf, was present on the occasion.

On January 3 in 2019, Syed Ashraf, also the then Public Administration Minister, died at the age of 68 while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bangkok. He had been suffering from lung cancer.

Ashraf was born in Mymensingh in 1952. His father Syed Nazrul Islam was acting President of Mujibnagar Government in 1971 and one of the key organisers of Bangladesh independence struggle.

Ashraf took part in the 1971 Liberation War, while he was an active freedom fighter who was trained in Dehradun in India.

He was actively involved in student politics. He was General Secretary of Mymensingh District Student League after the country’s independence. He also served as Assistant Publicity Secretary of Central Student League.

In November 3 in 1975, his father Syed Nazrul Islam and three national leaders were brutally killed in Dhaka Central Jail.

After this incident, Syed Ashraf went to London and organised Bangladesh Awami League in the UK. Ashraf came back home in 1996 and elected as a member of parliament. He served as the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry during 1996-2001. He also elected parliament member in 2001 and served as a member of Foreign Affairs Standing Committee in parliament.

In 2008, Syed Ashra elected lawmaker again and appointed as the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister. He took over the charge of Public Administration Ministry on July 16 in 2015.

Although Ashraf was absent during the 11th national elections, he was elected as a member of parliament from Kishoreganj-1 constituency.

He was also engaged in various social activities.